Declaring that large segments of the computer industry have still not appreciated the implications of Microsoft’s OS/2 and that those who fail to adapt run the risk of going out of business, London consultancy and training outfit The Instruction Set has unwrapped plans to build its OS/2 business to a size comparable with its Unix business over the next two years. Inset managing director Peter Griffiths claims that many still regard OS/2 as little more than an improved MS-DOS, failing to recognise that not only will it usher in a new breed of distributed applications that will dominate corporate networking, but that its complexity – of a similar order to the complexity of Unix – and radically different approach compared with MS-DOS will pose serious challenges in getting to grips with the new technology for everyone from software houses to users. Technical director Mike Banahan adds that not only will software houses be unwise to develop applications without aiming for portability between Unix and OS/2, but also that programmers used to working in teams to develop Unix software will be more suited to the similar environment required to develop OS/2 applications than will the average MS-DOS programmer. The Instruction Set hopes to cash in on the perceived demand for OS/2 skills with a range of services including consultancy, training, implementors’ workshops and project services. The UK’s largest Unix software distributor, Sphinx Ltd of Maidenhead, also recently announced a move into OS/2 training, distribution and support, saying that the experience gained in dealing with Unix products would serve it in good stead in handling the complexities of OS/2 products.
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